Weigh-in results: Oleg Maskaev 248 / Rich Boruff 231 – Due to Maskaev’s immense popularity in Russia, which is unparalleled, every ticket has been sold at the site of the bout. The Head of State for the Republic of Mordovia, Nikolay Merkushkin, said “Maskaev is idolized by the people of Mordovia, particularly our youth. Due to the huge demand to see Maskaev, we are setting up 5 large screens throughout the city of Saransk to give his fans an opportunity to see the fight. In the USA, the bout can be viewed on www.gofightlive.com at 11 am (est). The Maskaev bout will air at 1 pm (est)..
Maskaev vs Boruff This Saturday
This Saturday an historic webcast will take place as former WBC Heavyweight champion of the World, Oleg Maskaev battles Richie Boruff in an important Heavyweight tussle that will take place at the Ice Palace in Sarunsk, Russia. All the action will take place on www.gofightlive.tv beginning at 11am eastern time for a price of just $4.99. Maskaev, 35-6 with twenty- six knockouts will be making his second start since dropping the crown to Samuel Peter almost exactly one year ago. The native of Sacramento via Kazakhstan is coming off a ten round unanimous decision over the gritty Robert Hawkins back on September 6th.
Boruff, of Kokomo, Indiana is going to try to live the real-life Rocky story as the unknown heavyweight has an impressive record of 17-2-1 with ten knockouts. His only two losses are to former Heavyweight champion Michael Moorer and world-rated heavyweight, JD Chapman.
If Maskaev doesn’t beat Boruff, he is jeopardizing and will lose his mandatory status as per the WBC order dated December 25, 2008. The WBC ordered that the winner of the Vitali Klitschko-Gomez bout must make the next defense of the WBC Heavyweight Championship against Maskaev. The Winner v. Maskaev on terms set forth in the order. The Winner v. Maskaev shall take place within 120 days after the Vitali Klitschko-Gomez bout. Following completion of that bout, the parties of the Winner v. Maskaev bout shall have a period of 30 days for open and free negotiation. Purse offer procedures will ensue if an agreement is not reached with the winning purse offer being spit between the boxers according to the procedure set forth in Sec.5.
Promoter, Dennis Rappaport, said that Oleg is not looking past Boruff, however, it will be a pleasure to once and again have a 100% healthy Maskaev. It has been a pleasure dealing with the hospitable people of a beautiful country, the Republic of Mordovia. If both Maskaev and Vitali Klitschko are victorious in their next fights, it will be the second time they face each other in the ring. When they were both amateur stars, they fought and Maskaev stopped Klitschko in the 1st round. Rappaport said it will be a memorable treat to see history repeat
“To have the former Heavyweight champion of the world in a bout that he needs to win to receive another shot at the title and to be able to show it on gofightlive.tv just shows the type of content we are bringing to the fans.”, said David Klarman, vice-president of www.gofightlive.tv
OLEG MASKAEV RISKS IT ALL ON MARCH 14th IN THE REPUBLIC OF MORDOVIA
IN DECEMBER ’08 THE WBC ORDERED THAT THE WINNER OF THE VITALI KLITSCHKO-JUAN CARLOS GOMEZ BOUT MUST FIGHT OLEG MASKAEV NEXT. OLEG IS THE MANDATORY CHALLENGER . ON MARCH 14th OLEG FIGHTS RICH BORUFF, 17-2, IN MORDOVIA. IF HE LOSES THIS FIGHT, HE LOSES HIS MANDATORY STATUS.
HERE ARE SOME PICTURES OF OLEGS ARRIVAL IN MORDOVIA WHERE HE IS HERALDED AS A HERO AND IS LOOKED UP TO BY THE YOUTH.
– OLEG ARRIVES IN MORDOVIA AND IS WELCOMED BY TRADITIONAL GREETERS
– HUNDREDS OF FANS COME TO THE AIRPORT TO SEE AND WELCOME THEIR HERO
– EVERYONE WANTS OLEG’S AUTOGRAPH
A BOXING GYM FOR THE YOUTH IS NAMED AFTER OLEG MASKAEV